At-Home Online Care for Cold and Flu Treatment
If you feel under the weather, need a flu prescription, or cannot tell a viral cold from a bacterial sore throat, Your Doctors Online is the place to turn to.
Our doctors can diagnose your symptoms and start cold and flu treatment at home, with a prescription sent to your pharmacy in minutes.
How to connect with a doctor online for cold and flu treatment
Connect with a health care professional online in 3 easy steps.
Describe your issue
Download our app, register, and tell us about your medical issue to get started.
- Cold/Flu
- Anemia
- STD
- UTI
- Skin
- COVID-19
Chat with a doctor
Connect with a board-certified doctor. You can chat, send pictures and videos.
Hi Dr Nicole, I have a fever and a terrible sore throat. Can I get antibiotics for that, please?
Get an online prescription
Our online doctors can help you with your medical issues and give you prescriptions.
Prescription
- Azithromycin 250mg, two tablets on day 1 and then one tablet for the next 4 days
- OR Cetirizine 10mg, one tablet daily for 5 days
Send Prescription
What are the treatment options for cold and flu?
Neither a cold nor the flu has a cure. Treatment runs down one of two paths: one that goes after the influenza virus, and one that controls symptoms while your immune system clears the infection. Common online treatment options:
- Flu antivirals when you are inside the 48-hour window
- Prescription-strength relief for cough, congestion, and fever
- Antibiotics are only used if a bacterial infection develops behind the virus
- A doctor’s note for the days you need off work or school
What cold and flu medications can we prescribe online?
What are the symptoms of cold and flu?
If you experience the following symptoms, you might be suffering from a viral cold and flu infection:
- Low-grade fever (less common)
- Runny nose
- Body aches
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Headache
- Sneezing
- Cough
The common cold is a mild viral infection of the nose and throat, while the flu comes from influenza viruses and hits harder. Cold symptoms build slowly and rarely bring a fever, whereas flu symptoms arrive suddenly and usually do. The flu can also progress to ear infections, sinus infections, and pneumonia.
If you need relief from these symptoms, connect with Your Doctors Online and get help through a virtual consultation.
What causes cold and flu?
Viruses cause both. A cold can come from any of more than 200 respiratory viruses, and rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause. The flu comes from influenza viruses only, and that single difference decides if an antiviral will do anything for you.
When should you see a doctor for a cold or the flu?
Most colds clear up on their own. Talk to a doctor if you notice any of these warning signs: trouble breathing or rapid breathing, dehydration, a fever lasting more than 4 days, symptoms that persist for more than 10 days without improving, or symptoms that improve and then return or worsen. The same applies if a long-term condition, such as asthma or diabetes, flares up while you are sick. For severe chest pain, confusion, or severe trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
FAQs about cold and flu treatment online
What are stages of common cold?
The following are the stages of the common cold:
- Incubation period: This is the phase from when the person is first infected to when the symptoms appear. The usual time frame is 12 hours to 3 days.
- Progression of the symptoms: The time when the symptoms progressively worsen, common symptoms include: sore throat, congestion, sneezing, cough, runny nose, mild fever, etc
- Remission: Symptoms start to improve or lessen in intensity. This stage of a cold typically lasts 3-10 days.
- Recovery: Most symptoms subside, but mild symptoms can persist for 1-2 weeks.
What do most doctors prescribe for colds?
Most doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and inflammation during the flu and cold infection. In addition, your doctor may prescribe decongestants like Oxymetazoline in case of nasal congestion. Some NSAIDs include ibuprofen, and naproxen.
What is the best medicine for the flu?
Effective flu medicine is oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir, and another option is a single dose of oral baloxavir. Oseltamivir is usually taken twice a day for five days, and it is meant for people whose flu symptoms started no more than two days ago.
Will the doctor prescribe antibiotics for the flu?
No, flu is caused by the influenza virus, which cannot be treated with antibiotics. Your online doctor may prescribe NSAIDs like ibuprofen to ease the symptoms or flu medicines, but not antibiotics, as they treat bacterial infections.
When is the common cold contagious?
The infection is contagious for a few days before the symptoms appear until they resolve entirely. Therefore, the chances of transmission are high during the first three days, but the virus can be transmitted for up to 2 weeks.
How long do flu symptoms last?
Typically, they last from 3-4 days, but some symptoms, such as cough, may last up to 2 weeks.
How long does the common cold last?
Most cold symptoms go away within a week, although a cough or congestion can linger a little longer. If you still feel sick after seven days, check in with a doctor.
Get started today
Talk to online doctors now and get medical advice, online prescriptions, and referrals within minutes. On-demand healthcare services at your fingertips.
